The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday suspended talks on a $23 billion deal to purchase American-made F-35 planes, armed drones and other equipment, in a rare dispute between Washington and a key US ally in the Persian Gulf.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The Emirati Embassy in Washington said it would "suspend discussions" with the US, though meetings at the Pentagon this week between the two sides on other matters will be held as planned. "The US remains the UAE's preferred provider for advanced defense requirements and discussions for the F-35 may be re-opened in the future," the embassy said in a statement.
The proposed sale of 50 F-35s to the UAE came at the end of former President Donald Trump's administration. US President Joe Biden's administration put the deal on hold after he took office, in part due to criticism of the UAE and Saudi Arabia over their years-long war in Yemen.
Also included in the deal are 18 advanced drone systems and a package of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
Emirati officials blame an American insistence on restrictions on how and where the F-35s could be used and say they are a violation of the UAE's sovereignty.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is prepared to move forward with the sales if the Emiratis decide to do so.
